Tom Jerris of Livonia, left, and David Coyne of Avon pose in garbage bags hours after 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. They were diverted from the finish line and were unable to complete the race. They were among runners given garbage bags to keep warm. (Photo: Provided photo)

Wendy Abbott of Brighton and Chris Patterson of Webster pose after completing the Boston Marathon in 2013. The finished about 30 minutes before the bombing. They will both run the race again on Monday. (Photo: Provided photo)

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Kathy Champagne, Rochester, gets in a last short training run for the Boston Marathon Tuesday, April 15, 2014 in Rochester. The Boston Marathon is next Monday.(Photo: SHAWN DOWD, staff photographer)Buy Photo

Story Highlights

The 118th Boston Marathon is Monday

36,000 people are running the marathon this year, which is about 9,000 more than a typical year

David Coyne, 62, of Avon will be running the race for the 43rd time

Greece's Jason "J-Mac" McElwain will be running in his first Boston Marathon

Kathy Champagne had just walked away from the Boston Marathon finish line last April when she heard the first blast.

"It was deafening," she said. "I knew it was bad, but I didn't know what was happening. After the second explosion, it was total chaos. People were screaming, running. We were all pushed off the streets into nearby buildings. It was pretty horrifying."

Champagne, 51, of Brockport, is one of more than 100 Rochester-area runners heading to Massachusetts this weekend to run the 118th Boston Marathon. And, she said, she couldn't be more excited to run the nation's oldest marathon Monday, for her fourth straight year.

The Boston Athletic Association, which hosts the race, has strengthened safety and security measures for runners and spectators – but many say, despite any new restrictions, they can't wait to show their love for the sport, the city and the running community.

"A lot of eyes will be on Boston, it being the first year after (the bombings)," said Ellen Brenner-Boutillier, co-owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Rochester, which has two running stores in the Rochester region. "Increased security measures will change the dynamic of the event, but it's all for the greater good."

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Ann Llewellyn, Penfield, signs a large banner that is covered with messages of love and support for Boston, at Fleet Feet Rochester during a send off celebration at the store Tuesday, April 15, 2014 in Rochester.(Photo: SHAWN DOWD, staff photographer)

The annual road race proudly boasts its history, and Monday will mark the latest chapter, said Brenner-Boutillier, who described the marathon as "the Olympics for the age-groupers and sub-elites."

To enter the race, a runner must log a fast enough qualifying time to have a chance to register, but that doesn't guarantee a spot in the crowd. Among other spots are those for runners who raise money for charity.

This year, 36,000 people are running the Boston Marathon, which is about 9,000 more than a typical year. Among them will be more than 4,500 runners whose 26.2-mile journey was interrupted last spring, including David Coyne, 62, of Avon.

"You can't live in fear," he said. "You've got to go back and get through it. You have to be Boston Strong. If you don't adapt to change, you get left behind."

Coyne, who will run his 43rd Boston Marathon on Monday, said he was several blocks from the finish line on Boylston Street when the first bomb exploded. He said he looked up, while still running, and searched the sky for an airplane he thought had just broken the sound barrier.

David Coyne.(Photo: Provided photo)

Then he heard the second explosion. "I said out loud, 'something bad just happened,'" Coyne said.

Emergency responders quickly closed off the road and diverted runners from the finish. Coyne said runners were "herded up like cattle" and held safely at bay before they were bussed to a nearby park to be reunited with family and friends. Many had become cold, since they were no longer moving, and were given garbage bags to wear over their running clothes, he said.

It took about three hours and more than a dozen text messages on borrowed cell phones before Coyne was reunited with his brother, who was near the finish when the bombs went off.

"What people want to see are runners going back, with a good attitude, strength and a positive experience," he said. "We'll go back to celebrate. To go back with a bad attitude is just wrong."

Although he received credit for finishing the 2013 race, Coyne said he's only not finished the Boston Marathon twice since he started running it in 1969 – that first year, when he claimed he was woefully unprepared, and in 1978, when he collapsed a half-mile from the finish after running "too hard and too long without water."

"It's going to be very emotional, but it's going to be a celebration," said Wendy Abbott, 40, of Brighton, who will be running her fifth straight Boston Marathon next week.

Abbott had already finished after running her personal best marathon time in 2013 when the bombs exploded. Within hours, she said she knew she needed to return.

"I wanted to prove to anyone who could do anything so violent that they can't win, that they can't take this away from me," she said, her voice breaking.

Because of last year's events, Abbott said she plans to carry her cell phone, ID and cash during Monday's race. "It's sad you have to think about that now, but it's best to be prepared," she said.

Abbott said she plans to push herself on Monday, with hopes of re-qualifying to return in 2015.

"I'm just going to give it everything I have and we'll see what happens," said first-time Boston Marathoner Jason "J-Mac" McElwain. "To be a part of running with the best in the world is an unbelievable feat, especially one year after the bombings."

McElwain, 25, of Greece, captured the attention of the world in four short minutes in 2006 when as the team manager of Greece Athena's varsity basketball team and an autistic teen, he sunk six three-pointers, scoring 20 points, during the last minutes of his one and only high school basketball game. McElwain said he is thrilled to be running Monday in honor of his hometown, his family, the Autism community and everyone affected by the 2013 bombings.

Video: J-Mac's famous four minutes

Jason McElwain's magical 20-point night in 2006.

"Distance running is the toughest sport," McElwain said. "It's all mental. You have to run in the moment."

And McElwain said he's not concerned for his safety because "you can't control the actions of others. Anything can happen."

Barb Kerr, 54, of Greece initially planned to run Boston in 2013, but deferred because her son got married the same weekend.

Despite a recent injury (a torn hamstring), Kerr said she's determined to run the 2014 race "for the victims from last year."

"I'm not going to let those responsible win," she said. "I will be there and I will finish."

Kirsten Nagel, 30, of Rochester nearly didn't get a spot in the 2014 race. Though she qualified by time, she was one of the thousands unable to register before the race sold out last fall. In February, she learned she received one of 10 race spots offered to qualified runners by Stonyfield Organic yogurt, a race sponsor.

"I'm so, so excited," said Nagel, who grew up in Boston.

Nagel ran in 2013, alongside her best friend, and said the crowd support was second to none. This year, she said she isn't as prepared – in part because of the brutal winter and in part because she didn't complete a full training cycle. Regardless, she can't wait to repeat the 26.2-mile trek.

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Kirsten Nagel, of Rochester, right, ran the Boston marathon last year and is running again this year, goes for a training run in Rochester Wednesday afternoon, April 9, 2014. With her is her training partner, Travis Money, of Canandaigua.(Photo: KRIS J. MURANTE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Last year's events will remain with her Monday, Nagel said. She instructed her family to steer clear of the finish line and family reunion areas. Nagel said she's also concerned she'll grow anxious as she completes the race.

"I plan to move through there very quickly," Nagel said. She said she knows she'll be safe as BAA has been diligent with race security and informing runners of operational changes, such as no longer allowing runners to carry bags to the start in nearby Hopkinton. Instead, they'll discard layers of clothes, which will be collected and donated to charity.

"I'm thrilled to be going back and I'm not worried about my safety," Champagne said. "What happened isn't going to stop people from coming. It's probably going to be the safest race I've ever run."

If anything, she said, she expects to see even more spectators line the point-to-point course on Monday. Runners are tough, determined and strong, she said.

"I'm going to be very aware of my surroundings," Champagne said. "And I'm going to be going with a lot of extra patience. It's a fun race, no matter what. That's not going to change."

Boston Marathon survivor bombing survivor Erika Brannock, with walker, crosses the marathon finish line after a ceremony marking the one year anniversary of the Boston bombing. Brannock's left leg was amputated above the knee as a result of the bombing. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)

Carlos Arredondo and his wife walk the marathon route to finish line. Arredondo was wearing a cowboy hat when he tied a shirt around Jeff Bauman's legs and lifted him into a wheelchair shortly after the bombs exploded near the finish line in 2013. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)

Boston area police and fire department flag bearers get into formation during the flag raising ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line. (Photo: Jared Wickerham, Getty Images)

Vice president Joe Biden (middle) stands with families of those killed in the bombing (rear). Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick and Boston mayor Marty Walsh stand during a tribute and flag raising ceremony at the ceremony for the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)

Survivors, officials, first responders and guests pause as the flag is raised at the finish line during a tribute in honor of the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. (Photo: Charles Krupa, AP)

Chief of Watertown, Mass., police Edward Deveau pauses while observing the site of the second explosion after the ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. (Photo: Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

Police on bikes cycle across the Boston Marathon finish line prior to a remembrance ceremony for family members and survivors of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing on Boylston Street on Tuesday. (Photo: Elise Amendola AP)

Tim Sorbanelli, 21, a Berklee College of Music student, plays his guitar near the finish line of the Boston Marathon prior to the flag raising ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. (Photo: Jared Wickerham, Getty Images)

Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick, (to Cardinal's left), and Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, (facing families), with Richard, Liu, and the Corcoran family before the tribute and flag raising to those affected on the anniversary of Boston Marathon bombings. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)

Honor Guard members line up in front of the Forum Restaurant in Copley Square, where a wreath laying ceremony was held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. (Photo: Wendy Maeda AP)

Massachusetts state and local police and fire department members stand near the site of one of the bombs following a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line. (Photo: Jared Wickerham, Getty Images)

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick walks with members of the victims' families during a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street near the finish line. (Photo: Jared Wickerham Getty Images)

The family of Martin Richard including Bill Richard, along with Boston mayor Marty Walsh, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and other members of the victims' families stand during a wreath-laying ceremony. (Photo: Jared Wickerham Getty Images)

Massachusetts state and local police and fire department members present flags during a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston Street. (Photo: Jared Wickerham Getty Images)

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You can join the Boston Marathon World Run - pick a distance and run in the spirit of the marathon through the Boston Marathon World Run mobile app. Users receive digital training, a downloadable bib number and a finisher certificate.

About a million spectators are expected — double the usual number — at this year's Boston Marathon, along with 36,000 runners. To secure this many people across 26.2 miles and eight Massachusetts communities, in the wake of last year's tragedy, there will be increased security. The number of police officers will be doubled to more than 3,500. More than 100 cameras have been installed along the Boston portion of the route and 50 observation points will be set up around the finish line area to monitor the crowd.

Spectators have been discouraged from bringing backpacks and other large items and are being asked to carry personal items in clear plastic bags. Unregistered runners, known as bandits, who jump into the race along the route, are prohibited.

Police commissioner William Evans said undercover officers with special training will be working the crowds looking for suspicious packages or anyone "who might be up to no good." Anxiety levels were raised on Tuesday after a threat near the finish line turned out to be a hoax, but that experience only further prepared his police force, Evans said.